Action #5 Become Active in Your Community

Throughout my entire life, I have always been active in the community. Throughout high school, I was investing my time out in the community through the clubs I was involved in.

I was an active member of National Honor Society and each month we had to complete six hours of community service. I was also involved in Athenian Corps, which helped with various activities around school.

One organization I was highly involved in and still is, is called PRIDE Youth Programs. PRIDE is a drug and alcohol prevention program that uses performances to spread our message. Each year, I would make skits, PSA's, dances, posters, etc; all spreading a positive message to the youth of today. I would also travel around the country for conferences and to perform for local schools in my area. I made lasting friendships with a team from Sao Palo, Brasil and traveled to Washington D.C. to talk to US representatives about the issues of today. I gained three sisters from Brasil and a new appreciation for other cultures. I was immediately placed as a role model in my community and around the country, I was on fire for the youth; wanting the very best for them. I learned so much through this group and I am still highly involved in what they stand for and accomplish throughout the year. My senior year of High School, my PRIDE team was rewarded for our efforts and we were named "National PRIDE Team of the Year." The following is a link to the PRIDE website, honoring our team.

http://prideyouthprograms.org/conference.php?year=2006&event=2

While here at Goshen, I have tried to stay involved with my PRIDE team. I have volunteered at some of our local conferences and performances, taking pictures or helping with the various duties. I also volunteered as the official photographer for the 2007 National Conference in Charleston, West Virginia.

Originally from Crawfordsville, Indiana; a hick town if you will. You could consider me a farm girl. I participated in 4-H for ten years and was part of the Jr. Leaders club as well. I completed projects ranging from flowers, sheep, dog, cats, arts and crafts, geology, scrap booking, and woodworking. Another part of 4-H was the Montgomery County 4-H Queen Contest. My sister did it for four years and I look up to my sister in many ways. As soon as I was eligible at the age of fifteen, I signed up and found myself looking out at a crowd of over 500 people; answering a pop question in a formal gown. The Montgomery County 4-H Queen Contest is highly looked upon in my county and the Queen is supposed to be a positive representative of Montgomery County. My third year running for the title, I was crowned Miss Montgomery County and I've been a role model ever since. I passed out ribbons at the county fair, gave speeches around the county, sat through the Christmas parade, and am one of only 50 women in the last 100 years who holds this title. After receiving that title, I competed at the state level and spent a weekend around the Indiana State Fair, truly feeling like royalty.

Upon receiving this title, I gained the obligation of helping with the next year's contest, helping the girls to get through their nerves and giving them the best advice I can give as a past queen. I also volunteered to teach the dance portion of the contest, taking on a second responsibility for the summer. I am also teaching the dance again this coming summer. I just can't get away from that contest and all the opportunities it gives me to lead in my community.

While here at Goshen, I have volunteered myself to work in the nursery of various churches and I have lead songs at Campus Worship Night. Even though I may not have a lot of time to volunteer myself completely during the school year, I have been trying my hardest to do little things that are just as meaningful as the big things.